A delegation from the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD), led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Eric Nyarko-Sampson has called on the Chiefs of the Manya and Yilo Krobo Traditional Areas in Somanya. The delegation was primarily composed of top management personnel from the University.
The visits, to the palaces of Nene Sakite II and Nene Oklepeme Nuer Anorbaa Sasraku II which took place on different days, were intended to inform the traditional rulers about the progress of the University since its inception in 2021, its challenges and to explore potential areas of shared interests.
The common message the Vice-Chancellor delivered to the chiefs was that, UESD has now completed the full cycle of four streams (Levels, 100, 200, 300, and 400 in the 2023/24 academic year). It initially admitted seventy-eight (78) students as pioneers and now boasts of more than nine hundred and forty-six (946) students in its present population.
Prof. Nyarko-Sampson noted that in the University’s quest to give its students a holistic learning experience under its Community-Based Experiential Learning (CoBEL) programme, two batches of students entering Level 300, have for the past two years been successfully deployed into the Somanya community and its environs during the long break.
They live with community folks, learn their ways of life, understand their livelihood, and also educate them on new and improved methods of doing things. This is meant to support the growth and maintenance of their immediate surroundings for their benefit and posterity.
He also underscored the and job opportunities created in the community and nearby towns due to the establishment of the University.
On challenges, the Vice-Chancellor mentioned finances, the suspension of GETfund projects which comprises an Administration block and a Multi-Purpose Hall, and Phase II of the University project which also includes a new lecture theatre, central laboratory, a library, and a sports complex, are all at various stages of completion. He observed that if these projects were complete, the University would be in a better position to accept more students and raise the standard of instruction if these initiatives were finished.
Prof. Nyarko-Sampson seized the opportunity to extend an invitation to the chiefs to attend the University’s maiden Congregation which is scheduled for November this year.
Manya Krobo Palace
In his response, the Chief of Manya, Nene Sakite II, was happy about the visit and pledged to do everything within his power to continue to support the University.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to help deserving yet outstanding students who do very well in their final examinations receive scholarships for additional study overseas. Nene Sakite II said the University should expect the process to begin in the next academic year.
He expressed the hope that students who get such scholarships would return home to assist their communities and Ghana as a whole but expressed regret that beneficiaries of such scholarships hardly return home.
Yilo Krobo Palace
The chief of Yilo Krobo Traditional Area, Oklepeme Nuer Anorbaa Sasraku II, expressed similar happiness over the delegation’s visit and outlined the benefits the University has brought to the community since its founding in 2021. He lauded the CoBEL initiative and recognised the possibility of the communities becoming more open and having a stronger economy.
He indicated that with the presence of the UESD and other places of interest like the hospitals and recreational centres, the area stands in an advantageous position of becoming one of the economically viable places in the Eastern Region.
Additionally, he informed the Vice-Chancellor that he was still thinking about the Endowment Fund concept, which had already been addressed, and that he plans to activate it by the close of the year.
The idea to start an award scheme for the top graduating students was welcomed by Nuer Anorbaa Sasraku II, who also pledged to treat it as an urgent matter and gave the University assurances that all issues would be addressed for the mutual benefit of the University and community.
Nuer Anorbaa Sasraku II also assured the University that concerns raised will be addressed for the mutual benefit of the University and community. He welcomed the proposal to initiate an award scheme for best-graduating students and promised to treat it as urgent.
The other members of the delegation were: the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Edward Wiafe Debrah; Register, Mrs. Mary Abena Agyepong, Finance Director, Mr. Baffour Awuah Kwabi; Dean of Students, Dr. Daniella Sedegah; Ag. Dean of School of Natural Sciences (SNES), Dr. Shine Francis Gbedemah; Director of Directorate of Physical Development and Estate Management (DPDEM); Suv. Dr. Isaac Abbam; Director of IT Directorate, Dr. Emmanuel Kitcher, and the Head of Community Engagement, Projects and Innovations Unit (CEPIU), Mr. Danial Ofori Mintah.
